About the event
The allochthonous thrust sheets that form the Hajar Mountains which extend into the UAE from Oman form a rocky spine to the Northern Emirates. Representation of the geology of the whole Arabian Platform can be viewed in outcrop from the Middle Cretaceous through to the Permian. The mountains form a spectacular back drop for those who want to see the components of the highly prolific petroleum systems of the Middle East. While most of the hydrocarbons that have been exploited from these systems are from other better developed areas from Abu Dhabi to Kuwait, the Northern Emirates provide as yet mainly untapped potentiality waiting to be unlocked with the use of new exploration techniques.
The recent 2020 large Mahani gas discovery in Sharjah testifies to this, as does the acquisition in the period over 2018-2020 of high quality 3D seismic over most of the Ras Al Khaimah exploration blocks both on and offshore. Increased operational activities has led to a new focus which has captured the interest and commitment of foreign IOC’s and national companies to explore along with national partners in these areas to discover, develop and produce the hydrocarbons (mainly gas) that the developed economy of the UAE needs to forge ahead in its continued dynamic growth seen over the last 50 years and projected into its future.
Classic carbonate plays such as the Wasia and Thamama (Shuiaba) formations are also proven in the Northern Emirates with a number of producing fields in the tectonically compressional onshore areas to the mainly extensional offshore areas. The best quality reservoirs are typically grainstones and rudstones deposited in a shallow water higher energy environment.
Other play types include the Middle and Upper Jurassic Neyriz and Musandam Unit 3, carbonate reservoirs and are sourced possibly also by late Jurassic and or Silurian, this play is proven with the giant Sajaa Field. A developing play the Pabdeh calciturbidites sourced by the Aruma and Pabdeh shales could provide huge potential as it is will be much better imaged and then exploited with the integrated use of the new 3D seismic using Play Based Exploration (PBE) techniques.
There are a number of other regionally proven plays that could be prospective these include the Bih Formation (Khuff) sourced by Silurian Qusaiba to Oligocene Asmari Oolites and shallow marine sandstones.
Exploration for new resources can focus on allochthonous and autochthonous thrust sheets whether on frontal thrusts or in foredeep basins and beyond this into a classic rift tectonic setting with trap formation often related to salt withdrawal and collapse.
This online conference will share some of the latest research and also will be used to showcase some of the recent exploration successes as well as prospectivity that is currently being detailed in ongoing exploration activity in the area. This is supplemented by studies of the magnificent local geology that can be used as direct analogs for these activities. Join us on 6 April for an insightful discussion!